Become a Member

Cycling

Whether on your motorcycle or bicycle the Franklin area is a true cycling paradise

Franklin, NC Area Motorcycling & Bicycling

Motorcycling

From leisurely scenic rides to the adventurous Tail of the Dragon motorcyclists can experience the mountains of western North Carolina from a different perspective.

Riders can enjoy spectacular mountain vistas and scenery along the Blue Ridge Parkway or in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap features 318 curves in 11 miles. America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road is only an hour away from Franklin. Closer home, Highways 28 and 64 have some pretty intense curves of their own.

“Social”-ize with the Chamber

Road Bike Routes

Easy Routes

Otto Loop This loop begins at the bike shop. It circles around the beautiful valley through Otto, NC. The route is approximately 20 miles and has very little climbing. It is on mostly back roads and ends up back at the shop, where you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee.

Intermediate Routes

Patton Valley This 20+ mile loop also begins at the bike shop; from there country roads are followed back to the bottom of “Standing Indian”. Then the ride progresses along a nice smooth valley to Hwy 64. After a brief jaunt on the highway, you begin riding towards gorgeous Patton Valley. The ride provides scenic views of the mountains in all directions and then begins its way back to the bike shop with more miles through Franklin’s scenic back country roads.

Cowee This loop begins from the Franklin fitness center, located in the heart of Franklin. This 30 mile loop slowly moves out of town into the beautiful Cowee valley. The ride then circles the valley, providing a picturesque ride you won’t forget. After the circle, the ride passes the airport and then moves back into Franklin. This ride provides a moderate amount of climbing, none to steep or long.

Advanced Routes

Standing Indian Loop This 25-30 mile ride is also known as the “Standing Indian climb”. This route begins to follow the same route as the Patton Valley loop, but instead of moving directly into the valley, the ride climbs for 4+ miles to the top. From there you can go back down into the valley or go out onto the highway. Both will provide a lightning fast descent back into Patton Valley where the ride will continue.

Mountain Bike Trails

Easy Trails

Little Tennessee River Greenway Perfect for family outings, the Greenway provides paved trails winding along the Little “T”. Both young and young at heart will delight in the peaceful setting that winds some four miles through Franklin. Along the way you’ll be delighted many many species of wildflowers and wildlife, including the River Otter.

Intermediate/Difficult Trails

Tsali Nationally known trails. Mouse, Thompson, Right and Left loop, rated as one of the ten best trails in the nation by a nationally published cycling magazine. These trails are always enjoyable to ride. They offer beautiful views of Lake Fontana and the surrounding mountains. These trails are fast and not very technical. This is the ideal place to ride all day long if you have the time. Camping and showers are available. More info at the Tsali website at www.westernncattractions.com/tsali.htm or at Smoky Mountain Bicycles.

White Twister This trail is located about 20 miles south of Franklin. It is a 4.6 mile loop that is fast and offers a fair amount of climbs. The trail runs along a river for a good part of the ride and ends a few hundred yards down a dirt road from a beautiful waterfall. This will be on of the most fun short loops you can ride, and it can be ridden forwards or backwards to change things up.

Coweeta Lab/Buckeye Branch These are two great local trails for people that don’t mind a little climbing. Both begin with a 3 mile climb and level out to ride along a ridge. Buckeye Branch then provides an awesome downhill that makes the ride worth it. Coweeta lab rolls along a little farther on its course providing 2 or 3 downhill runs to get you going. Both routes offer spectacular views and a bond with the “natural beauty” of Franklin.